New Vero Beach cancer center winning public’s approval

SAM WOLFE

Photos by SAM WOLFE/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS Lewis Clark Jr. (left), vice president of marketing at Indian River Medical Center, and Jan Donlan, president of the Indian River Medical Center Foundation, look over the second floor of the new Scully-Welsh Cancer Center. Some portions of the center are still being completed but patients started using the facility Dec. 7.

By Janet Begley

Published on: 12/23/2015

VERO BEACH — More than 80 patients already have been seen in the past few weeks at Indian River Medical Center's new Scully-Welsh Cancer Center.

The two-story, 36,000-square-foot building opened Dec. 7, with an official grand opening set for late January. The facility is affiliated with Duke Medicine, part of the Duke University Health System.

The new medical director for the cancer center, Dr. James Grichnik, will start Jan. 4. Grichnik is a dermatologist currently associated with the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine.

"When you take on a project like this, you have to make sure the facility is built for the next 50 to 60 years," said Rick Van Lith, vice president of business development for the Indian River Medical Center. "While the doors are open and we're seeing patients, we're still in the process of assembling all of the pieces, making sure that we're prepared for whatever new technology comes our way."

On the first floor, 12 separate intravenous drug infusion stations are set up around the perimeter, with large, hurricane-proof glass windows overlooking a healing garden. Ten of the 12 areas are open so patients, their families and the nursing staff can move in and out easily. Two other stations, at either end of the corridor, are available to treat patients who require more privacy for their cancer therapy.

Nurses specially trained and certified by Duke's oncology program administer chemotherapy and blood transfusions to patients at the new cancer center. Nurse Manager Aprill Baker said reaction to the cancer center since it opened has been positive, with many patients commenting on its large, open areas.

"They like the atmosphere," Baker said. "The views of the garden are beautiful and if a patient wants to walk outside while they're waiting for lab results, they're able to do that."

Also on the first floor are a patient library and conference room, and a large meeting room with teleconferencing capabilities that doctors can use to consult with out-of-area specialists on patient care. Physicians in several locations can teleconference with each other, reviewing X-rays, lab tests and pathology reports in real time.

On the second floor, 16 patient exam rooms are set up as private consultation space for doctors and their patients. In addition to an exam table, each consult room has a small conference table with seating for patients and families to meet with their physician.

The $48 million facility behind the main hospital is named for Bill and Marlynn Scully and Pat and Carol Welsh, who contributed $24 million to the Indian River Medical Center Foundation to pay for improved cancer facilities. To date, more than $43 million of the $48 million needed for the project has been raised by donations to the IRMC Foundation, according to their website.

Jan Donlan, president of the foundation, said the new cancer center is something needed in Indian River County because it provides comprehensive treatment right in the community.

"Now when someone undergoes cancer treatment, they don't have to travel long distances," Dolan said. "It is so much easier to be close to home and have the support of your family."

Although the facility has only been operating for a few weeks, IRMC CEO Jeff Susi said he already has received positive feedback from the community.

"It is most rewarding to hear from patients and family members about how much they approve of this caring environment," Susi said.

SCULLY-WELSH CANCER CENTER AT INDIAN RIVER MEDICAL CENTER

Affiliate: Duke Medicine, Duke University Health Systems

Cost: $48 million, with $43 million raised to date by the Indian River Medical Center Foundation